Police Arrest LGU Street Sweeper in Anti-Drug Operation

Posted on August 2, 2026 at 9:12 pm

By:  Let Teña

Calbiga, Samar — A job order employee of the local government unit (LGU) was arrested in a buy-bust operation in Barangay 4, Poblacion, Calbiga, Samar, early Tuesday morning, July 28, after authorities identified him as a High-Value Individual (HVI) in the government’s anti-illegal drug campaign.

The suspect, identified only by the alias “Tot,” 44, works as a street sweeper for the Calbiga LGU and is a resident of Barangay 6, Poblacion. He was apprehended at around 4:47 a.m. during an anti-drug operation led by the Station Drug Enforcement Team (SDET) of the Calbiga Municipal Police Station (MPS), with support from the Provincial Intelligence Unit–Provincial Drug Enforcement Unit (PIU-PDEU) and in coordination with the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency Regional Office 8 (PDEA RO-8).

Authorities said they recovered one sachet of suspected shabu used as the subject of the sale, two additional sachets of suspected shabu weighing approximately two grams, with an estimated street value of P13,600, and a marked P500 bill used as buy-bust money.

The operation was supervised by PMaj Juan Carlos S. Recluta, Officer-in-Charge of the Calbiga MPS, under the supervision of PCOL Arwin Tadio, Provincial Director of the Samar Police Provincial Office (SPPO).

The arrest drew attention, as the suspect is employed by the local government, underscoring that law enforcement operations cover individuals regardless of occupation or employment status.

The suspect remains in the custody of the Calbiga MPS and is facing charges for alleged violations of Sections 5 and 11, Article II of Republic Act No. 9165, or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.

As with all criminal cases, the suspect is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in court.

Photos by: Let Teña